The Sound of Silence, Watercolor by Ian Mutton
What creates organizational impact? The answer goes beyond your mission and vision.
Here’s one way to think about it: Your organization is a tree planted in loose soil. Your mission and vision are the tree itself—in other words, the part that is visible above the surface.
But just as important are the roots that lie beneath. These roots determine whether an organization will stand or fall—and they must go deep to sustain health and nurture growth.
There are three roots that form the trifecta of organizational impact: strategy, process, and wellbeing.
Here’s why these elements are so vital to purpose-driven leaders.
Strategy relieves the pressure of “never enough” and fosters intentional progress. A focused strategy empowers leaders to make sound decisions and be proactive in the face of changing community needs. For example, a food bank might have a strategy to reduce the number of hungry families by a certain percentage in a growing underserved population. This strategy can help guide efforts and measure progress toward goals. It can also help leaders say no to less critical initiatives that fall outside that priority.
Process builds organizational resilience and frees up time to focus on your important work. Efficient, well-defined processes optimize organizational resources and remove barriers to effective program delivery. For instance, if leaders standardize their onboarding processes, they help new associates create immediate value in their roles, while promoting a feeling of connection to the organization’s mission.
Wellbeing fosters a greater sense of purpose and engagement. Leaders who prioritize the wellbeing of their staff and volunteers create a culture in which people feel valued, supported, and able to do their best work. Think about a nonprofit that works with survivors of domestic violence. To ensure that its team can provide the highest quality of care to clients, the organization might offer regular training, counseling services, or PTO policies to prevent burnout and promote mental health.
When leaders apply the power trio of strategy, process, and wellbeing to their work, they are strengthening the roots of their organization’s impact in the present—and for years to come.
If you need support, contact us to explore our services, or attend our upcoming program on wellbeing.